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Morning Devotional...





Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10


Another desire of the spiritual man is to die right rather than to live wrong. A sure mark of the mature man of God is his nonchalance about living. The earth-loving, body-conscious Christian looks upon death with numb terror in his heart; but as he goes on to live in the Spirit he becomes increasingly indifferent to the number of his years here below, and at the same time increasingly careful of the kind of life he lives while he is here. He will not purchase a few extra days of life at the cost of compromise or failure. He wants most of all to be right, and he is happy to let God decide how long he shall live. He knows that he can afford to die now that he is in Christ, but he knows that he cannot afford to do wrong, and this knowledge becomes a gyroscope to stabilize his thinking and his acting. 6. The desire to see others advance at his expense is another mark of the spiritual man. He wants to see other Christians above him and is happy when they are promoted and he is overlooked. There is no envy in his heart; when his brethren are honored he is pleased because such is the will of God and that will is his earthly heaven. If God is pleased, he is pleased for that reason, and if it pleases God to exalt another above him he is content to have it so.

Love for others promotes them above ourselves, even at our expense. It makes us encouragers, developers of people.


Thank You, Father, for those whom You have used to develop me. Use me in honoring and encouraging others. For Jesus' sake.

From Devotions By Dr. Tozer

I read but I forgot to post yesterday!!  Did you notice?  YOU DIDN'T!  Well, I'll be!!   :ticked:

We got a really nice rain after the day before it was south of us.  Remarkable how a nice rain greens up the grass! 

Not much new around here.  Just reading, washing, cleaning, eating...the same O-same O!  Getting browner from sitting in the shade outside!  Getting rid of that pale look! 

Ready for church and it is 9am!!

Hi everyone.  I slept a little late this morning as had no reason to hurry around.  I plan on going to church in about an hour but don't know yet whether Pat will go or not.  She had a pretty rough day yesterday until late in the afternoon when she began to feel better as the pain in her hip subsided.  We did go out to a local pancake house for dinner last night and it was good.  We were the only customers all the time we were there and in talking with them they said their trade is in the mornings and lunch and then later in the evenings.  They have a broad menu so it isn't limited to breakfast items.  Nothing else on the schedule for today so will just take it easy and prepare for the marathon day tomorrow as Pat has her surgery.

Judy, sorry to read you are suffering from the heat.  I think you are wise to scrap the old scanner rather than spend money on it (probably about as much as you will spend on a new one) for repair of the old one.  I do know we are getting solar flares from the sun this summer and that weather is on a cycle, although we often think it has never been like this before. 

Ruth Ann, knowing that others have had such fine results from the knee and hip replacements after suffering with these joint problems for so long is very encouraging.  Pat has faithfully been doing the leg exercises they told her about at the orientation session we attended a couple of weeks ago and I feel she will do the work to be better.  However, she doesn't suffer in silence so I may be the one needing the pain pills.  (That was a joke folks).  Thanks for the prayers.  We have many supportive friends and we love you all.

Don, a very nice devotional for this week. Thanks. 

Etta Sue, I thought I read a posting from you yesterday but perhaps it was from the day before and I just responded to it yesterday.  Nothing wrong with a quiet day and you don't seem to have too many of those.

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Happy Birthday, Judy!!!  What a lovely card Marilyn gave you.... just think! Cocker Spaniel Babies are soooooo adorable!!

Thank you Marilyn and Ruth!

 Judy  :hb3:  We have one grandson's birthday this week and sending three other cards very soon so this is a busy birthday month. 

Larry:  Best to Pat as she goes to surgery - I believe it is Monday morning. 

May God grant you (and Bonesy, too) a year filled with love, faith, and deep rooted joy, Judy.

And, Larry, I'll be praying with all the others as your wife prepares for this surgery.

Al, how are you doing?

Oh, dear, I could go on and on! Hey everyone, may the Lord bless you "real good" today. :)

Don, thank you for that great devotional.

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

Hi everyone from Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta.  Pat went back to be prepared for surgery a little bit ago.  Stacey is here with me.  Pat should go into surgery in about an hour.  We got up at 4 am and had no trouble getting to the hospital with time to spare.  We had a very nice church service yesterday and the contemporary music was not too loud and one lady sang a beautiful piece.  I felt led to write a note of appreciation to our pastor and mentioned how much I appreciated the volume being held down and what a fine service it was.  I think my issue with the contempory is strictly the volume issue.  They projected words of the songs on the two screens and I like that as well as can sing with my head up.

Happy Birthday Judy.

Thank you everyone for the birthday greetings.  John and I had a good weekend.  HE is counting the months till retirement, and now so am I.  We have a  lot of plans in the meantime to prepare for that day!

Larry:  You were up early today.  Early medical appointments are best for us as we just like to get it over.   :coffee:  Good for you for giving the pastor feedback. 

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Larry the youth like the volume up.....That is not to say that we should comply. 

This generation often doesn't know or understand the word "NO".  We are having problems in Quebec and now starting in Ontario with the college level generation refusing to take the word NO without revolting.  I am praying the authorities stand their ground and don't cave in.

It is another hot one today.I have to go into the Bay again today,  John bought me a scanner for my birthday and I installed it.  It made this awful grinding noise every time I clicked the on button, so it is going back, along with my laptop so they can hear what happens. 

Be back tonight!

Church was great and then four of us women went to Cracker Barrel for lunch.  The rest of the day was leisure with reading, napping, TV, crocheting and reading some more. 

Today is a lazy day.  I want to print some things for tonight.  My church is starting a group called 'Senior Saints'!  It is a group of Seniors who will be traveling to one and two day trips around Indiana and/or surrounding states!  I think it is a wonderful idea.  If the person doesn't think it is for them, then they can stay home but others can go!  Baseball games, attractions, museums, colleges, etc.  Anxious to see what all they mention tonight!

Not much more to mention today.  Praying for Pat and for her to have a quick recovery and will kicking up her leg soon!!

Judy - sure sorry the new scanner didn't operate as it should have.  You'd have thought their quality control people would have caught that.

I'm doing fairly well here at home, thanks be to our Lord.  Hey, I just learned something (maybe)  I am being told that margerine is more fat-forming than butter.  Anybody know?

The younger generation really does prefer their "music" to be loud.  A couple of years back my grandson looked at the speakers for my stereo and said, "Great speakers, Grandma.  You must be able to get really loud."  I said, "I don't know, I never play it loud."  He said, "But, Grandma!  Music is supposed to be loud!"  When my three were in their teens, my favorite mantra was "turn it down or turn it off".   :D

I am leaving tomorrow  on the train from Eugene  to go to see  some of my kids that I haven't seen in 20 years. There will be 4 generations under one roof. i am going to take lots of pictures.

Well Great news..... The scanner works, I took it back and there was a lock on the scanning mechanism that we didn't know about, and it works just fine.  So guess what I am doing tomorrow!!!

I went to a friends tonight to help their daughter with a job that was overwhelming her.  When I broke it down into small steps it was completed quite quickly!.

I am off and heading to bed very soon!

Hmmm...no email notices again, so I am two days behind!  Really good devotional, Don, thank you so much for that.  That was the gist of my prayer while walking this morning.

By now, Pat's surgery is over with and I pray she is doing very well, without a lot of pain.  Larry, may God bless you as you care for her.  You have such a great attitude about things, you continually inspire me.

Judy, glad the scanner problem is solved so you can do what you want to do.

Hi, Ruth Ann!  Marilyn, have a blessed time with family, and hope you get lots of good pictures.

Carol, have a great day!

Jeanne, I agree with you!  WHY did 'loud' become synonymous with 'good'?

Larry, good for you for giving feedback, that's what I need to do, as our music was much improved on Sunday.  We do need to let them know what we like, not always what we do not like.

I've been up for hours, got lots of work done already.  At 2, I have to be at the fairgrounds, and work until 7 this evening.  I'm sure I will be ready to come home by then, but they are having a concert by Reba McIntire's sister Susie, at 8, so I might stay for that.

Beth has an appointment with yet another surgeon today for a consultation preparatory to doing an endoscopy.  I don't have to go this time.

I didn't see a report about Pat's shoulder surgery---what is the news on that?  And is it the same shoulder she had surgery on a few years back, or the other one?  I pray she is doing well, but please let us know!

May God bless each of you today!  Please keep safe!

Hi everyone.  It was another really hot day yesterday.  They had late afternoon rain downtown Atlanta but we didn't get any of it this time.  I have talked with Pat three times already this morning and she said she got little sleep last night due to the constant attention she was getting.  She said she had her leg to 60 degrees so she seems to be doing fine and will be getting up today.  I forgot to take in her bag of clothing from the car before I left yesterday so definitely have to make a trip down today, but had planned to do so this afternoon anyway.  All indications are she is doing fine. 

Judy, it is a fun time when you can contemplate retirement and what it opens up for you when it actually occurs.  I do hope we are not going back into another situation like the 60s when our society took a less that desirable turn for many of our young people, who are now our leaders.  Not good for the scanner making a grinding sound but see you found the problem and it is fine.  It is interesting that how often large jobs broken down into doable steps turns out to be not so overwhelming.  Nice of you to help your friend's daughter.

Janet, I will be seeing Pat again in about three hours.  I have something to do this morning but will head downtown about noon.  Going to make a sandwich to take with me so I don't need to eat out again at lunch.  I didn't know Reba McEntire had a sister who was a performer.  What a difficult job to work in the shadow of Reba. 

Etta Sue, your "Senior Saints" sounds a lot like groups many of our churches and senior center have where occasional trips are planned.  They usually go in a bus so one doesn't have to drive, which is nice. 

Al, we haven't used margarine for many years as Pat was cooking something and put oleo in the skillet and it sort of turned to plastic.  At least butter is natural and that is all we use.  Glad you are getting along well at home.

Jeanne, been through that "turn it down" phase when our children were younger.  I like music loud enough to hear the tones but don't want it to hurt my ears.

Marilyn, what an exciting time for you seeing you children after all these years.  Hope it is  wonderful reunion.

When you turn into the driveway at your own house and the place is just rocking with music --- time to take control.  I remember that incident and really it only happened a few times.   :) 

Another day - another idea.  We are going to the mountains to cool off and check on our cabin that is for sale.  Hardly anyone has looked at it --- this is a fact of the economy now.  The little towns are really hurting without tourists and the early fires around the state did not help at all. 

Larry:  I hope you get some of our rain as it finally did actually rain here.  Pat will be happy to be home soon. 

Three things I have told Tony...You turn up the volume loud and break my speakers...You pay to get 'em fixed.  You get stopped for no seat belt fastened...You pay the ticket!  You get stopped for speeding...You pay the ticket!!  That was all said during the one time he drove my car after Bud passed away!!  He didn't have to pay out any money!  He never offered to drive my car again either!

Senior Saints...some things I am not interested in going to see but with a group, I will go.  For instance, downtown Indy!  I can find the Zoo, the Eiteljorg Museum, the Indiana Art Museum...but where do I park?  And Steve said he would rather rent a vehicle that will take all of us instead of car pooling, trailing someone or being in the lead.  I agree.  My all time favorite idea is taking the Amtrak to Chicago, spend the night and come back the next evening.  I haven't a clue what to see and do in Chicago but I just may find out!

I have been fed, inspired, exercised, fed again, shampooed and showered.  Now to wait until time to go to play Euchre! 

I had a 'J' night and didn't get to sleep until way after 2am!  Wish I could take a nap!!

We will be leaving home around 1:30 , it takes two hours to get to Eugene from here, by the time we get there we will have to deal with traffic, pick up my tickets and boarding pass, and get a bite to eat before I board the train. I have tried to notify all that email me or send forwards to please not do so until after I return the 25th. Hotmail will automatically send out a vacation message to my contacts, but last month there were some people who ignored the fact that was not home. I will have my Netbook with  me but I will be deleting every thing without reading them except for the surveys I do to earn $$.

Rough day and Last night was a real "J" night.  Stupid mosquitoes woke me up eating me alive.  They seem to get in somehow.   

Was up at 5 and working with my scanner.  It is amazing to me that it actually works!  Have a good portion of photos done, the balance that I originally set aside will be done before bed.

John is getting some more miles this week, tough when one person has the sway to sabotage drivers on E-Logs.  Electronic logs cannot be fudged with.  HE would rather the old way with drivers going over hours and pushing them past legislated rest.  I don't get how this one person has so much sway.  John was pretty upset when we talked on the weekend, after he calmed I suggested he pray for this man.  That is the best we can do!

Going for now have a good evening.

I am going over tomorrow, my day off, to help (our)Pat with her shower.  Seems like both the Christian, and proper thing to do; I have the time and the ability, after all. 

This little gesture on my part has helped witness to my sweet man, who was raised in a church-attending family but wandered away from his faith.  He hasn't understood why I would do such a thing on my day off.  I reminded him that he himself often does little random acts of kindness, simply because he can.  I am praying that he will soon come back into a close relationship with the Lord. 

Please pray for Gary. ^^^


I will be praying for each of you in the coming days, especially Larry's wife as she recuperates from surgery. 

Ohhhh Bonnie thank you so very much!  And Yes I do pray for him and you!

I appreciate the prayers Judy.  When I look back on my life I realize that God always wanted me to be strong in the area of helping others.   I taught day care for many years; worked in retail and service industries, and now am working as a PSW.  You let me know that you were concerned, and He encouraged me to follow through.

Love you and truly am thankful for your place in my life.

Hi everyone.  It looks like we will be having a clear morning after a rainy yesterday afternoon and I think during he night. 

Pat seems to be doing reasonably well.  She wasn't able to do the rehab yesterday morning as when they tried to get her up she became very dizzy.  I spent a couple of hours with her from about 1 to 3 pm yesterday and shortly after I left they were able to get her up and with help walked from the bed to the room door and back and they had her sitting up in a chair for an hour.  Apparently the saddle block they gave her before the surgery hadn't worn completely off yesterday and she was also having some strange muscle spams in different parts of her leg.  Hopefully the muscle relaxant took care of that. 

I was so tired when I got home that I ate a quick bite of dinner and took my night time medicine and went to bed and was asleep shortly after 8 pm as couldn't keep my eyes open.  I awoke about 2:30 this morning and wasn't able to go back to sleep so just rested until about 6 this morning.  I haven't decided whether I will try to go to the hospital today or not. 

Stacey got good news yesterday that a handicapped low-income rental apartment on the ground level has become available fairly near to where she has been living.  It is to be available by the beginning of the month so she will be moving even though there are two months left on her lease that we will have to pay but don't want her to pass up this opportunity. 

Carol, hope you find your cabin in good shape.  One thing is for sure our economy isn't improving.  However, there are some signs that houses are selling better.  My good friends, who have had their house on the market for about two years, appear to finally have a good contract on it and they, in turn, have put in a bid for a house in a seniors community in north Georgia close to one of their children. 

Etta Sue, renting a van for a day for a reasonably small group is a good idea.  With several going the cost would be reasonable and you don't have to drive and park and walk. 

Judy, I can't imagine having to fight mosquitoes in the house.  That would be miserable.  What do you mean one person is sabotaging drivers E-logs? 

Bonnie, I am sure Pat will be most appreciative.  Our daughter-in-law plans to come over from North Augusta tomorrow to stay for a few days to help us out when Pat comes home from the hospital.  You are setting a good example for your husband.  What is a PSW?

Time to leave for coffee. 

Thank you, Bonnie, for helping our dear Pat!  We all love and appreciate her so much.  God will surely bless you for that kindness.

Larry, please stay home today and rest, sounds as if you need it.  Good news for Stacey, and time for that.  Glad your area is getting rain.

Judy, I don't understand what you mean about the guy sabotaging the e-logs, either.  But that is dishonest and unfair, and I hope it gets sorted out soon.

I had a call from Abby yesterday, and she decided she wanted to come to the Susie McEntire concert, so as soon as we closed taking entries,I drove halfway to Hugoton and met her and Diane.  Susie sounds just like Reba, and looks very much like her, too!  She is on TV on the show Cowboy Church, some people there say they always watch that and think she is even better than her sister.  :)  ;)

As soon as she was ready, I took Abby back to the same spot, where Mark met us.  It's always good to see him and collect some great hugs!  He has met a nice Christian gal who lives in Denver, and went there last weekend.  He said they really enjoyed each other's company and he plans to visit her again next month.  I have been praying for a good Christian wife for Mark.  It's time!  Was so good to see him happy and smiling, and he always talks to me about his life.  Love those grandkids!

I have to be out at the fair before 9 this morning and stay until the judging of our Art area is completed and we have everything displayed properly.  I have a wonderful assistant, and really appreciate Thelma.  She enjoys the book work part of the job, and I don't!  So we make a good team.  I do the 'gopher' stuff, and hang the art work, assist the judge, etc.

I hope you all have a wonderful day----stay cool!

I had such a great night of rest last night that I am refreshed and ready to face the world!!  Now...what do I do? 

Euchre was fun.  I came out ahead!  That only happens maybe once a year!  Jane is a great cook.  She made homemade Peach and Coconut Cream Pie...so we each had an eighth of each pie!  Yum!! 

I really need to dust and sweep this house!!  But...I want to read.  Bet reading wins out!  What I really need to do is wash my car.  I ran it through a cheap car wash....wasted money.  It looks like milk on the driver's side of the car.  I think the rinse nozzle was clogged up!  Couldn't stand looking through that milky looking glass so I did wash the windows but after looking at the red on it, it all needs washed!!  Maybe I will do that when shade gets on the driveway!  Maybe! 

It was another hot day yesterday.  While playing Euchre, it was thundering.  I had left the sunroof open.  It was barely sprinkling when I went out to shut it.  But that was all we got!  We are in desperate need of rain!!  The farmers will be selling their corn to the companies that can that baby corn on the cob you find at salad bars!!  (Field corn isn't used for that, so don't worry!)

My Dad would be 100 today if he was alive!

OK I had a post ready to send and poof.

This man hoards info and treats the drivers like grade 1 pupils with "See Dick run." mentality. He keeps the miles low trying to prove they cannot drive as many miles as one on paper logs. In reality I love E-Logs as John gets more rest and usually better pays.  By keeping the miles down and giving the long trips to the drivers on paper, he is effect saying  drivers can't do the miles on electronic.  Our pay checks are suffering, this is a struggle. 

Boy oh boy, did we ever get some storms last night!  It all began around 9:30 p.m. with what we used to call "heat lightning" - you can see some light flashing dimly on the other side of a mountain but don't hear any thunder.  Then it got closer and closer, and by 10:00 p.m. we were getting some loud claps of thunder as well, the kind that you can feel the sound vibration, with heavy wind and driving rain.  The flashes and booms were coming so often they seemed to be overlapping for about 1/2 hour and then around 11:00 things began to slow down and eventually drift away.  Then around 1:30 a.m. we got another hour of the same.   All in all, fantastic God-orchestrated light shows.  Who needs man-made fireworks!   :D

Every night for the past week a neighbor's car alarm has gone off at least once and sometimes twice.  But not last night - I guess the storms were too much for the cat that was apparently setting it off.   :lol:  I began to get irritated - the car in question is only a few feet from my open window.  But then I realized I only have to lie here and wait for it to stop, but someone in that house has to get up to stop it, and at 2:00 or so in the morning that can't be fun.   :o

Hi Larry. As a PSW (Personal Support Worker) I go into a person's home and help them with their adls ...activities of daily living.  This could include shower, dressing assistance, making their bed, tidying the bathroom, doing a load of laundry, or vacuuming and dusting, depending on the needs of the client as laid out in their care plan.  I believe Janet does similar work in the States.

I absolutely love what I do, and truly don't consider it work at all, but an opportunity to bless others and/or be blessed by them.

Pat enjoyed feeling fresh and clean, and I enjoyed our visit. Paul was nice enough to drive me home. Much appreciated in this heat. 

:) 8) :thumbsup: :cheer:

I'm back home from the fair!  We could have been done earlier but had to wait for another judge to do the pottery items.

Well, I sort of 'swept the show' this year!  We are allowed to enter only five items in art, I entered five and got: 5 Blues (first prize), plus Grand Champion, Reserve Champion and Judge's Choice for the entire adult division.  I do love purple and blue, especially at fair time!  :)  ;)

I stayed out there and went through the commercial exhibits, stopping to visit with friends along the way.  Nice that I didn't have need to rush home.  I will be going back to visit Beth, but right now I'm going to sit, read, and rest a bit.  (But probably will fall asleep.  :sleepy:

Bonnie, that was so good of you to give Pat that loving attention.  I so admire the work you do - not something I'd be any good at, I'm afraid. 

Janet, CONGRATULATIONS!  (Is that purple enough?)   You are another I really admire - You have been blessed with such a wonderful talent.  :thumbsup:

Hi, friends,

I'm so tired from the heat that I'm turning in early.

Love to all, and even MORE love to our Lord!
Ruth Ann

Thanks, Jeanne!  Yep!  That's the right color!  ;)

It is 3:30 and I have been awake since 1:30.  Sigh.....I did order some pills to help me sleep; supposed to be all natural and not have side effects or leave you feeling 'hung over' or drowsy.  They haven't come yet, and I hope they work.  This sleep deprivation is about to wear me down.  :-\

I guess I will go back to bed again and try to get some  :sleep:  :sleepy:

What a difference 24 hours can make.  Night before last I slept (well, tried to between storms & car alarms) with no covers and fans going full speed.  Last night, no fans and I snuggled under a light blanket.   No storms, but three times the car alarm went off.   ;D

Hi everyone.  I finally have my Internet back this morning.  About 4:30 yesterday afternoon we had a fierce storm and we lost both the Internet and satellite coverage.  We never lost power, except perhaps for a little power surge as there was a flicker, but had lots of lightning and thunder and heavy rain.  About 9 pm the satellite came back on and although the internet company said they expected to restore service by 9 pm it wasn't there when I went to sleep sometime after.  The doctor is going to release Pat to come home tomorrow.  I just got back from my dental appointment and all is well for another 6 months.  I am expecting my DIL to arrive at anytime to spend a few days to help Pat and I. 

Janet, I did stay home all day yesterday as wasn't feeling very good until evening.  I did get a good nights sleep last night and feel much better today.  However, I don't plan on making the trip to Atlanta to the hospital today as will be going early tomorrow to bring Pat home.  My DIL said she may go down to visit with Pat this afternoon and that would be nice.  You are so fortunate to enjoy a great relationship with you grandchildren.  They sound like wonderful young people.  Hope your day at the fair went well and that there was a lot of good art to be judged.

Etta Sue, glad you had a good day yesterday and the pie sounds delicious.  We have a really good car wash close by and just had my car washed.  You stay in the car and go through the washing process and then they have a crew who hand polishes and makes sure everything is clean.  It costs just a couple of extra dollars to have them clean the inside as well and they do a great job. 

Judy, don't all the drivers use e-logs.  How does the man benefit from keeping the miles down.  I should think from the company standpoint the more miles driven the better. 

Jeanne, sounds like the same type of storm we had yesterday afternoon and more is expected today with a higher chance than we had yesterday.  Just hope I don't lose power or the Internet.  The satellite reception is always effected by heavy rains as it blocks the line to the satellite.  Fortunately, our storms usually don't last too long.

Bonnie, thanks for the explanation of the PSW.  I know that Marilyn used to do similar work before she moved to where she lives now.  I know this assistance helps people stay in their own homes.  Pat and I are getting where someday we may need such help but not yet.  I am sure Pat really appreciated your assistance.

Janet, not surprised at your sweeping the awards as you are such an outstanding artist.  Congratulations.  Isn't this similar to last year?  Do you have a trophy case for all your ribbons?

Ruth Ann, the heat really saps ones energy.  Hope you had a good nights rest.

Jeanne ~ Do you live in such a high crime area that the person needs to have his car alarm on every night?  I am thinking someone needs to show that person how to turn off and turn on his car alarm system and reset it when he is in a high crime area.  That would be annoying.  I wish I had your way of thinking...that at least, you don't have to get up, go outside and turn off the alarm!  I am thinking you live in a mobile home park...someone is bound to complain soon!

Larry ~ When will Pat get to come home?  Here, after knee surgery, you have to go to rehab 24/7 until certain criteria is met...then you come home.  Take care of yourself...you will be the caregiver for awhile!  Kaye Don had three steps to get in his house no matter which door.  He had to put rails on the back door steps for Barb before he could bring her home!

Janet ~ It doesn't surprise me that you came away from the fair as a big winner!  Does this mean now you get to enter into the State Fair?  Indiana has county fairs and Reserve Champions and Grand Champions submit their entries to the State Fair.  Then you hope for Grand Champion there...winner of the whole state!

Bonnie ~ Thanks for explaining about PSW.  Seems about every community has that service but it is called different names everywhere.  A great service for those who are not quite ready for assisted living. 

JudyB ~ Thanks for telling us about e-logs.  I don't understand the gentleman's thinking though!

Ruth Ann ~ That heat gets to you!  I am more used to it this year than I have been for a long time since my favorite spot to read is out on my deck at the bistro table. 

Well, we have a respite in Indiana.  Rain last evening and rain this morning.  I just looked out and my bistro umbrella was turned wrong side out so I fixed that and closed it down with a bungee cord.  It is humid today after the moisture fell.  But we sure need the rain...and much more really!  The grass is greening up again.  It's only 79 degrees right now.  That's the lowest it has been at this time of day for 6 weeks!!

Remember our FROGGS picnic?  That is to be August 9th.  Hamilton County has a ban on fireworks and open fires right now!  We are hoping it rains enough so the ban is lifted and we can have a bonfire and hot dogs, brats and franks on the open fire!  If not, we will ask for sandwiches and still have our picnic in the woods for Friends and Relatives Of Grandma and Grandpa Stevenson!

The 16th, I ordered online Corel PaintShop Pro X4.  They said two weeks delivery.  I got it yesterday, the 18th!!  I got the box version...I like to have something in my hands instead of a download!!

So guess what I will be doing this afternoon?  And this evening, Ivalou has invited Marge, Betty, Jane and I to her house for supper and to watch the movie 'The King's Speech'.  Sounds like fun!

No, Etta Sue, it's not what you'd think could be considered a high crime area.  What's really strange is that the same car has been parked in the same spot for almost a year now and never got set off before. 

About knee and hip surgery here.  A friend had both knees operated on, and returned home the same day.  She lives alone, with 2 dogs and had no help.  There was no one available with the organization that Bonnie works for so had to manage on her own.  Even with major surgery like the gastric bypass, they are out of hospital within 4 days. 

Etta Sue No one understands this man.....If John was 10 years younger he would have quit by now and gone for another company.  Thankfully he isn't doing that.  He works for a good company with the exception of one man.

The temperatures have dropped.  We have a cool front over us.  Makes sleep pleasant.

My scanner scans slides.....John has an enormous box full of slides.  Now my job is to find it and work on them.

Jeanne Are you sure it is a cat causing the problem?  Can you contact the cat owner?

Have a great day folks!

Judy, it's only a guess that it's a cat setting off the car alarm.  There are definitely other possibilities, although I hate to think it could be.  The homeowners happen to be two lesbians, and I suppose it might be someone resentful who has just discovered the fact.  Or it could be a mischievous teenager having a laugh at disturbing adults.  But I much prefer to think it's one of the cats that run around here. 

Thank you to Larry, Judy, Janet, Jeanne Lee, and anyone else who commented on my giving assistance to our friend Pat.  I do it because that is the gifting the Lord has blessed me with and, as I have said before, I am blessed by the life lessons and advice I am given while doing what He has called me to do.

Re the car alarm going off at all hours of the morning.  A few years back there was a young man in the building next door who drove a fancy two-seater sports car...white with all the bells and whistles.  His alarm would go off whenever there was the slightest breeze, and on cold nights it would go off because he got home from work really late and the various animals roaming about would crawl onto the engine for warmth. One night it was a cat, and many other times it was a squirrel.  He moved away shortly after being sprayed by a skunk, lol.  Don't mean to laugh at his misfortune, but it sure was nice to regain our peaceful, uninterrupted nights.

The stories about the car alarm remind me of a time about 30 years ago. It was in the middle of the winter, we had just moved into a new place, and it was about 3 in the morning, and -30 degrees Fahrenheit. We woke up to a horn blaring and wondered what kind of neighbourhood we had moved into, and we were hoping someone would turn their car horn off.  We were getting a bit impatient about it when all of a sudden, my husband wondered if maybe it was our car. Sure enough, it was.  ??? He had to go out and disconnect the battery. I'm sure the neighbours wondered what these new people were like but no one ever said anything to us about it.

I'm continuing to pray for people as I read the posts in here.

Betty, I remember when the car horns would get stuck and blare away--hadn't thought about that for a long time!   :)

I took Beth out to the fair for the barbecue last night, then we had a little cup of ice cream, and walked (well, I walked, she rode!) through the exhibits and the commercial booths.  She enjoys getting out of the care home, and lots of people stopped and said "hello" to her.  I always appreciate those who take the time to acknowledge her; so many walk right past.  My friend Pat went with us, too.

Tonight is granddaughter Abby's birthday party, so we will be going to Hugoton.  Not as much happening at the fair today, so should be a little slower day until then.

I'll come back later to see what's new!

Hi everyone.  The weather forecasters didn't get it right yesterday as the predicted storms never developed.  My DIL and I will head to Atlanta fairly early this morning to pick up Pat and bring her home.  I expect this will be a pretty uncomfortable trip home for her but know she is ready to get home.  I am sure I will then need to go to Kaiser to get the pain medication she will be needing.  That will be the big event of the day.  I talked with her several times yesterday but did not go back down to the hospital. 

Etta Sue, Pat will not be going to a rehab facility but have the therapy come to the house.  Only if she were alone would that be necessary.  I will be here most of the time and we can work around when I am not.  She often doesn't get up until around the time I get back from morning coffee and I can always skip that if necessary (perish the thought).  We only have one step up from the garage or front door so that isn't bad and live on the first floor of our house.  When Stacey lived with us we had a second handrail put in the stairway to the upstairs bedroom (which we seldom use except like now for our DIL).  It sure is good to be able to hold on to both sides when going up or down the stairs.  I thought the movie "The King's Speech" was very good and great acting.

Jeanne, it almost sounds like that car alarm is malfunctioning. 

Judy, I wonder how that poor lady managed with both knees operated on and no one to help her.  Pat's problem is not so much the new knee, which is painful but she said a different kind of ache type pain than she had before in it, but her other knee that is so painful and is giving way.  I think I told you she ended up on the floor at the hospital when walking to the door of her room with a walker and someone with her as the bad knee gave way.  She asked the doctor for a brace but he said a brace wouldn't help the problem she has.  Sounds like your scanning project is going well.

Bonnie, funny story about the skunk except to the man who got sprayed.  :)

Betty, the only time our car alarm has gone off is when we accidentally hit the alarm button on the remote control.  It doesn't happen very often.

Janet, glad you were able to take Beth to the fair and that she enjoyed it. 

I read all of your posts but this is going to be short...and sweet! 

I am ready to go out the door to take Hawaii to the fix-it place!  Hope it doesn't catch on fire before they fix it!

It is cold!!!  Brrrr!  Only 69 degrees.  Cloudy and overcast today!  No wind....just cold!  Jacket weather after the 100+ degrees we have had!

Isn't it amazing how the temperature comfort changes with circumstances?  After 90's and more 69 does feel chilly.  But think how delightfully warm it would feel after a spell of below freezing!  LOL  We humans are just never satisfied.   :lol:

All quiet last night.  No storms and no car alarms. 

While I was attending seminary I was employed from 11PM 'till 7 AM as a dispatcher for fire, police, etc.  We had many, many times when people complained about car alarms, etc. We just had to tell them to go talk to the neighbors with the offending alarms  to tell them how much it bothered them.

Hi everyone.  We had another stormy night with quite a bit of rain and the prospects for more rain today are good.  Pat had a good nights sleep, over 5 hours.  The therapist has been here for the first visit.  The regular therapist will be here Monday, Wednesday and Friday for three weeks.  Pat seems to be doing well with getting up and down.  Fortunately the bathroom is only a few steps for her.  I did go to coffee this morning for an hour but plan to stay in as much as possible today and tomorrow.  Yesterday was a very tiring day and got up tired this morning. As soon as I have lunch I will be laying down for the afternoon. 


What a terrible tragedy for so many families of the Aurora shootings.  That could happen anywhere.  I am sure we will be hearing about this on the news for quite awhile as more information becomes available. 

Another bright and sunny day here in Indiana.  But with all the rain we had this week, it is much greener.  Need to mow but not today or tomorrow.  Maybe Monday!

Today Ivalou and I are going to a Surprise Birthday Open House Party!  My cousin, Larry, will be 70 the 24th.  His two sisters are having the party at HIS house.  He is single so I don't know how they are going to accomplish a surprise but we will see.

My husband passed away 21 years ago today!  Seems like yesterday but at times, seems like forever!

We look back on the way God worked at Columbine, and pray a similar testimony for Him comes out of this.

We need rain, however the temperature is beautiful and I don't have to mow the lawns!

Is it really Saturday again?  Just doesn't seem possible that another week is winding down. 

A quiet night last night.  The car alarm situation seems to have been taken care of. 

Happy Saturday!  I have been out to the fairgrounds to complete my job for this year.  We released the exhibits today, which meant (for my helper and me) taking the artwork down, sorting it into piles of names, families, etc. and then taking all the clips off the pegboards.  We also helped take the clips off in the photo dept., as they had so many to do. We sat and waited for the owners to come get their things, and then took what was left into the other room for the stragglers to find when they show up.

On my six entries--five paintings and 1 scrapbook, I got $55 in premiums!  Wow!  I was surprised, because this is the first year they have added any money for the grand and reserve champions and Judge's choice.  I'm happy!  :)

Larry and Etta Sue, glad you have gotten rain!  We are really needing moisture again, and it's hotter than a pistol out there today again!

Boy, it's been years since I was around a bunch of young teenage girls, and I had sort of forgotten how LOUD they can be!  Abby had 9 girls there for her party, and such squealing, giggling, and screaming!  Made my ears hurt!  But they were having fun.   :)  8)

Last night I was awake for the first half of the night--usually it is the second half.  So I feel really draggy, will try to take a nap.  Oh, how I would LOVE to be able to just go to bed and sleep through the night again!

It is beyond my comprehension how anyone can do such an evil thing as that shooting at the theater in Aurora.  I am convinced there is much demon involvement in it.  So very tragic.

This is an oldie but goodie!

CARROTS, EGGS, AND COFFEE
A carrot, an egg, and a cup of coffee...You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up, She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen.. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil.
In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.. Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what you see."

"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.

Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.

Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee.
The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?"

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however.. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?"

Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you when the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate yourself to another level?
How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.

May we all be COFFEE!!!!!!

We have a special license plate here in Colorado that can be purchased for a bit more than the regular state plate.  It says, "Respect Life" and was issued after the Columbine school tragedy.  This has been another heart breaker for too many people.  Praying.   

It all brings meaning to our words when we say, "That's using yer bean!

I've enjoyed taking a few moments to enjoy being here with Christian friends again.

May our Lord bless each of you "real good" tonight. :)

RUth Ann

Sunday follows Saturday so it is time for a new week. 
Move on to a new place here (http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=12316.msg174080#msg174080)